2016 BMW 330e iPerformance highly innovative

The all-new BMW 330e iPerformance adds another highly innovative variant to the BMW 3 Series line-up with its advanced plug-in hybrid drive system. For the first time, cutting-edge BMW i-technologies have been integrated into the BMW 3 Series Sedan. Key ingredients are its intelligent lightweight design, outstanding aerodynamics for its class and the extensive use of BMW EfficientDynamics technology fitted as standard.

The combustion engine fitted in the BMW 330e iPerformance is based on the 2.0L four-cylinder gasoline unit with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology that is standard in the regular gasoline 3-Series sedans. The electric motor and the power electronics are derived directly from the BMW eDrive technology that is standard in the BMW i3 and BMW i8 models. The motor is powered by a lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 5.7 kWh (net). The model-specific concept of the high-voltage battery, including its battery management system and highly efficient direct cooling system derive from BMW-i.

The battery can be recharged at any domestic power socket and is mounted flat in a particularly crash-safe position underneath the load compartment. The power electronics form a single integrated system that drives the electric motor via a liquid-cooled inverter, manages the energy flow from the high-voltage battery to the on-board electrical systems and provides centralized control of hybrid-specific functions.

The BMW 330e iPerformance can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 140 mph. Pure-electric driving is possible at speeds of up to 75 mph and with a range of around 14 miles. The electric boost function is permanently enabled. The electric motor supplements the power from the combustion engine and can deliver a brief extra boost– depending on the position of the accelerator.

The power generated by both the combustion engine and the electric motor is channeled to the BMW 330e iPerformance model’s rear wheels via an eight-speed Steptronic Sport Automatic transmission with shift paddles. The transmission ratios take effect for both drive systems, lowering the mechanical and thermal loads placed on the electric motor by sustained high revs. This has a positive effect on the operating life of the electric drive system.

BMW 330e iPerformance drivers can choose from three BMW eDrive-specific programs – Auto eDrive, Max eDrive and Save Battery – via the eDrive button in the center console. These settings allow the plug-in hybrid drive system to be adapted to the way the car is being used at any point in time. Auto eDrive: This setting ensures the combustion engine and electric motor work optimize all driving situations and enable a pure-electric top speed of 50 mph. This is the default setting and is activated each time the car is started up. Max eDrive: In this mode the BMW 330e iPerformance uses electric power only, allowing it to drive for up to 14 miles with zero local emissions. In so doing, it draws on the electric drive system’s full power output and reaches a top speed of 75 mph. The combustion engine can activate at any time if the accelerator is pushed down beyond its kick down position when additional power is required, e.g. for overtaking. Save Battery: This mode contains two operating settings. If the high-voltage battery’s charge is below 50 percent, the battery is charged to 50 percent by the combustion engine. If over 50 percent of battery charge remains, the charge level is “frozen”, so that the remaining electric energy can be used for part of the upcoming journey.

The Driving Dynamics Control switch on the center console allows the remaining settings to be adapted; the Eco Pro, Comfort, Sport and available Sport+ modes are all activated using this switch. Just like steering and chassis functions and the shift characteristics of the eight-speed Steptronic transmission, these modes also make changes to the operating strategy of the hybrid drive system.

The BMW 330e iPerformance also comes with an integrated, hybrid-specific Proactive Driving Assistant that works using the BMW navigation system. This function represents the interplay between BMW EfficientDynamics and BMW ConnectedDrive technology. When the route guidance function is active, the navigation system collates the available information on the route ahead and uses it to manage the responses of the two drive units. The system accesses both the static data from the interactive map, such as speed restrictions and gradient information, and real-time information on the current traffic situation (Real Time Traffic Information – RTTI). This proactive energy management uses the information as a basis to identify particular stretches of the route where the electric drive system will be preferred over the combustion engine.

The neat integration of the high-voltage battery under the load compartment gives the BMW 330e iPerformance a level load compartment floor and full use of the through-loading system with 40:20:40 split rear seat backrests. In order to maximize the car’s load capacity, the stainless-steel pressure tank was also positioned underneath the rear seat bench in semi-saddle tank form. The intelligent positioning of the electric drive system’s components assure the car’s finely balanced weight distribution – virtually 50 percent at the front axle, 50 percent at the rear axle.